Beware of phone scam

Monday, Aug. 18, 2014 — The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office advises residents to beware of a telephone scam currently occurring in Lassen County.

The sheriff's office is receiving multiple reports of residents receiving calls from someone who identifies themselves as a sheriff’s office employee. This is a scam.

The person impersonating a sheriff’s office employee informs the citizens they are being fined for failing to appear for jury duty. The caller tells the citizen they need to pay the fine or go to the sheriff’s office if they cannot pay.

The caller may be using a technique known as “caller ID spoofing” which allows the caller to make it appear as if the call is coming from the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office does not call citizens to collect fines over the telephone or by any other electronic means.

If you receive such a phone call, do not provide any personal information or credit card numbers. If you receive such a call, the sheriff’s office asks you to report it by calling 257-6121.

The sheriff’s office asks you to tell your friends and family about this scam.